Pregnant 4 months after rupture

Shanmurray12 · 19 November 2020 20:07

I had my ectopic in June. I had methotrexate and then surgery to remove my tube.

I’ve now found out I’m expecting again and I’m over the moon. I had a scan last Friday which was exactly 5 weeks from my last period (9th oct). The gestational sac and yolk sac were both present but there was no baby. This has had me so stressed for the last week. I can’t eat or sleep or function. I’m back for another next Friday which will put me at 7 weeks. So I’m praying I can see something.

I had a scan back in 2015 and I was dated at 5+ weeks and there was clearly a small baby with a heartbeat.

So I guess my question is, has anyone had this experience before and then had good news at a re scan?

Thanks for reading x

EPT_Host_20 · 23 November 2020 21:17

Dear Shanmurray12,

Whispered congratulations on your pregnancy,

If scans are inconclusive, doctors would carry out a series of blood tests to check hCG levels to see if the numbers are rising as expected. However, in isolation, hCG tests only provide a part of the picture - declining levels indicate that a pregnancy has ended and will be miscarried. It can also possibly indicate an ectopic pregnancy that is “self-resolving”. Also hCG levels rising by less than 66% over 48 hours means it is likely (but not certain) that it is ectopic. If levels rise normally, they suggest the pregnancy is implanted in the uterus. You may see from this that hCG levels only indicate certain possibilities and are not in themselves a definitive guide. A positive identification of an implanted embryo on a scan is usually needed before a final diagnosis/certainty that the pregnancy has implanted in the uterus. This is possibly the reason why your doctors are waiting until your appointment to carry out scans.

You have mentioned that your scan showed a small gestation sac a yolk sac but not an embryo, this is known as a Pregnancy of Unknown Location or PUL. This is not a diagnosis but a label until the final location can be identified with certainty. I cannot be sure, but it could be the case that it may be too early to see a pregnancy on the scan.

When I had an early scan with my pregnancy after ectopic pregnancy, I was in exactly the same position as you. I had to wait a week for a repeat scan, and it was such a long wait. I completely understand how you feel and I wish I had words of wisdom to help you pass the time. Try to keep yourself as busy as you can.

I’ll share with you that the next scan I had identified a heartbeat and I went on to have a successful pregnancy, so I hope this gives you some hope.

Sending much love and positive thoughts,

Karen x

The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust

Registered Charity Number: 1071811

Ectopic pregnancy patient information suite: Highly Commended in the 2019 BMA Patient Information Awards

During the coronavirus outbreak, The EPT team is still working hard to provide crucial information and support to women and families experiencing ectopic pregnancy as quickly and efficiently as we can.

If we have been able to help you, are you able to help us with a small donation or by volunteering or fundraising?

Further information is available at ectopic.org.uk

Email us: ept@ectopic.org.uk

We provide a call-back helpline service: 020 7733 2653

Take a look at our newsletters and subscribe to our mailing list here: https://mailchi.mp/986bdd6091ee/ectopic-matters

Detailed medical information can be found on our website. Please remember online medical information is NO SUBSTITUTE for expert medical advice from your own health care team

Shanmurray12 · 27 November 2020 18:30

EPT Host 20:
Dear Shanmurray12,

Whispered congratulations on your pregnancy,

If scans are inconclusive, doctors would carry out a series of blood tests to check hCG levels to see if the numbers are rising as expected. However, in isolation, hCG tests only provide a part of the picture - declining levels indicate that a pregnancy has ended and will be miscarried. It can also possibly indicate an ectopic pregnancy that is “self-resolving”. Also hCG levels rising by less than 66% over 48 hours means it is likely (but not certain) that it is ectopic. If levels rise normally, they suggest the pregnancy is implanted in the uterus. You may see from this that hCG levels only indicate certain possibilities and are not in themselves a definitive guide. A positive identification of an implanted embryo on a scan is usually needed before a final diagnosis/certainty that the pregnancy has implanted in the uterus. This is possibly the reason why your doctors are waiting until your appointment to carry out scans.

You have mentioned that your scan showed a small gestation sac a yolk sac but not an embryo, this is known as a Pregnancy of Unknown Location or PUL. This is not a diagnosis but a label until the final location can be identified with certainty. I cannot be sure, but it could be the case that it may be too early to see a pregnancy on the scan.

When I had an early scan with my pregnancy after ectopic pregnancy, I was in exactly the same position as you. I had to wait a week for a repeat scan, and it was such a long wait. I completely understand how you feel and I wish I had words of wisdom to help you pass the time. Try to keep yourself as busy as you can.

I’ll share with you that the next scan I had identified a heartbeat and I went on to have a successful pregnancy, so I hope this gives you some hope.

Sending much love and positive thoughts,

Karen x

The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust

Registered Charity Number: 1071811

Ectopic pregnancy patient information suite: Highly Commended in the 2019 BMA Patient Information Awards

During the coronavirus outbreak, The EPT team is still working hard to provide crucial information and support to women and families experiencing ectopic pregnancy as quickly and efficiently as we can.

If we have been able to help you, are you able to help us with a small donation or by volunteering or fundraising?

Further information is available at ectopic.org.uk

Email us: ept@ectopic.org.uk

We provide a call-back helpline service: 020 7733 2653

Take a look at our newsletters and subscribe to our mailing list here: https://mailchi.mp/986bdd6091ee/ectopic-matters

Detailed medical information can be found on our website. Please remember online medical information is NO SUBSTITUTE for expert medical advice from your own health care team

Hi Karen.

Thank you for your kind words. The dreaded 2 weeks wait finished today and I had another scan.

We seen a flickering heartbeat and I have been dated at 6w4d.

I’m over the moon… miracles do happen! Xx

EPT_Host_20 · 29 November 2020 21:20